This runs really well on my laptops – I put my HP Spectre 13 on my lap and it acknowledges my face instantly. No lag , no misses, it just works. That’s not the case for the iPhone X.

It’s missing the consistency, which comes after doing more than a few resets to make sure my setup wasn’t the weak link.

As I’ve written before, I would prefer to have the option to reach over and tap a Touch ID button instead of positioning my face to get identified, similat to the the cheaper iPhone 8, which I’ve also been using.

When Face ID gets better- for example recognise your face while the phone is at an angle sitting on your desk- that would probably put an end to any of my objections.

Bang for the buck

The iPhone X starts at $999, which is MacBook-like in its cost. Ounce for ounce, the $699 64 GB iPhone 8 is a better bargain. For that are important, so is my $649 64 GB Google Pixel 2.

Apple does a good job of wowing customers with advertising the front-facing True Depth camera, dual 12 MP rear cameras, borderless display and Face ID. But I can get great photos, a great display( despite the borders ), and my preferred-Touch ID on the iPhone 8.

Camera

There’s no doubt that the iPhone X has an incredible camera and its they are able to take 4K video at 60 fps is very impressive. But in testing that I’ve done, comparing still photos taken with my cheaper Pixel 2, it’s a washing.